Work, identity, and technology.

Reimagining what’s possible.

Erykah Benson presenting research at the Hawaii International System Sciences HICSS Conference
Erykah Benson presenting research at the Hawaii International System Sciences Conferences with co-presenters Gabe Paredes, Jasmine Banks, Kyla Brathwaite, Apryl Williams, Janae Sayler, and Mel Monier
Erykah Benson presenting research on attitudes toward reparations at the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy
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Publications in Press

  • A survey analysis and experimental analysis studying public attitudes toward reparations in Detroit and across the United States.

    Hudgins, K., Benson, E., Carr, S., Simington, J., Walker, Z., Cruz, J., Hutchings, V., Lewis, E., Ostfeld, M. C., & Young, A. Crafting Democratic Futures: Understanding Political Conditions and Racialized Attitudes Toward Black Reparations. RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 10(3), 49–67. https://doi.org/10.7758/RSF.2024.10.3.03

  • A methods paper on cross-collaborations between academics and tech industry leaders in developing equitable technologies.

    Williams, A., Brathwaite, K., Banks, J., Benson, E., Monier, M., Sayler, J., Paredes, G.. (2025). “Needs Translation: Advocating for Marginalized Communities in Tech Design”, (Proceedings of the Hawaii International System Sciences Conference)

Invited Op-Eds

  • Public commentary on the pace of reparations policy development in Detroit.

    Hudgins, K., Benson, E., Ostfeld, M., Hutchings, V. (2024). “Detroit reparations task force now has until 2025 to make its report, but going slow with this challenging work may not be a bad thing.” 10.64628/AAI.mack3qfcx. 

Policy Reports

The Impact of Grocery Delivery

A survey analysis on the use of grocery delivery in Detroit and its connections to transportation access challenges.

Benson, E. & Lundy, L. (2025). “From Aisles to Doorsteps.” Issue Brief. Center for Racial Justice and Poverty Solutions. 

Public Attitudes Toward Reparations

A survey analysis on attitudes toward municipal reparations policies in Flint, Michigan

Benson, E. & Simington, J. “Forty Acres and a Mule? How Flint residents believe the government should repay Black Americans.”  Issue Brief. 2023. Center for Racial Justice. 

Detroiters' Knowledge of Historical Racism and Linkages to Reparations Support

Benson, E. & Simington, J. “Collective Remembrance and Detroiters’ Views Toward Racial Inequity.”  Issue Brief. 2023. Center for Racial Justice.

Erykah speaking on a panel at the Digital IDEAS Summer Institute with coauthors Ellie Abrons, Germaine Halegoua, and Matthew Bui (Left to Right).

Erykah speaking on a panel at the Digital IDEAS Summer Institute with coauthors Ellie Abrons, Germaine Halegoua, and Matthew Bui (Left to Right).

The Electoral Impact of Attitudes Toward Reparations in Detroit

Benson, E. & Simington, J. "The Electoral Impact of Racial Reckoning: The Effect of Reparations Policy on Voter Engagement in Detroit.” Issue Brief. Center for Racial Justice.